Chapter Text
In a cosy cottage, tucked into the side of Blue kingdom on a hill lived Scott Springwell. The night sky outside his window, moon beams seeping through the glass and casting shadows onto the mage’s bedroom. The sky outside was utterly gorgeous, the bright stars outshining one another against the dark, inky canvas which was the midnight sky. Scott dreaded the night, preferring the vibrant, sunny daytime. The sun would grant light to the world, shining upon the greenery for them to thrive. The light it provided made it easier to admire the scenery from his cottage, giving everything a distinct glow that would radiate a sense of tranquility.
Yet, nothing felt tranquil, sunny, gorgeous or anything of the sort. Scott felt like he had hit a wall, unable to save his father because he couldn’t heal properly, which forced him to come back to Blue kingdom with a staff that felt wrong in his hands. A beautifully carved staff with intricate details to look like a lily, coursing with magic of growth and light felt too good for the little useful magic the flower mage could create. His first time returning back to Blue kingdom felt as if he had been removed from his old home and thrown into somewhere where he knew barely anyone, and an opposing kingdom who were able to strike any time they wanted.
The sun was slowly coming down to rest, and Scott couldn’t bear to go into his cottage full of flowers. It was painful, seeing all the memories of his mother and father flash through his mind. He couldn’t sleep. His bed felt too hard and soft at the same time, every position uncomfortable. It felt too cold and too hot at the same time. The half-elf eventually gave up, giving into the uncomfortability and succumbing to sleep.
– – – – – – *+☾+*– – – – – –
The sun reminded Scott of his mother. His wonderful, beautiful mother. With golden locks, much longer than his, her extraordinary knowledge on flora of all types, and her ability to revive plants to their most thriving state. She practically was the sun itself. Both had such a joyful presence that couldn’t be replicated by anything on our earth.
His father was like the rain, in all of its musky, flawed glory. Sure, his mother would cook at times, but his father took up the majority of the responsibility. Just as how the rain provided the plants the water they required to thrive, his father fed and cared for his beloved wife and son. He wasn’t around all the time, for he was the one who would be sharing and running the flower shop. Just like how the rain wasn’t around all the time, yet it would always come back, when nature so yearned.
And Scott… their beloved son. Their beautiful Little Sprout. Flowers needed both the sun and the rain to grow, after all. Scott was the little sprout set in the perfect conditions, with the vibrant sun and endearing rain right by his side.
However, life for this Little Sprout isn’t always sunshine and comforting rains.
The one and only sun in his life stopped shining, her life cut short from a sharp blade of a spear piercing through her chest. She had never done anything wrong, nothing at all. All it took for the light to drain from her eyes was an invader who wasn't fond of the elven blood that the Springwells had. Poor, sweet innocent Scott at a young age had endured the terror of seeing his mother fall to the ground, him hiding in a half open closet, subconsciously cloaked in invisibility out of sheer fear for his own life.
The rain had turned to drought a few years after. Scott could see him wither away before his eyes, yet his fond, proud smile never left his father’s face, a wide contrast to his son’s tear-filled eyes. He couldn't help but feel utterly useless, all this magic that he had been training and he couldn't even save his father.
– – – – – – *+☾+*– – – – – –
He felt numb coming back to Blue kingdom, for the whole of the second day, he couldn’t focus. The comforting voices of his friends felt more dull, quiet against his racing mind of ‘Why couldn’t I save them? Why couldn’t I save the people who were the most important to me? Why, why Why-’
“Scott? You feeling alright?” A familiar voice-Nom said, noticing that the flower mage had zoned out, staring at the orange ombre in the sky with the sun beginning to dip back down halfway under the horizon. Scott nodded, yet his expression seemed like he was miles away from the bench that the two sat on in front of his house, surrounded by a variety of flowers that reminded Scott of a place he once called home. “Is this about..?” The Blacksmith trailed off, seeing as Scott might not want to talk about it, and he would leave it alone. However, someone had told him that opening up was better than keeping it all bottled up inside.
“Yes.” Scott murmured, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill again ‘I’ve cried enough today, not in front of Nom.’ “I just…” Scott cut his words short, not wanting to burden Nom with his issues.
“You can tell me, I’m happy to listen. And no, you’re not burdening me with this.” And that unlocked something within Scott, spilling his family’s past, his mother’s death, his father’s final words, and how utterly useless he felt-
“You’re not useless.” Nom spoke, firm and reassuring. It froze Scott, balling his hands into fists seeing as he had begun shaking from all the emotions. “You’re a crucial member to Blue Kingdom, a talented mage and overall, my friend.” Nom reminded, dark eyes meeting glistening chartreuse. “Everyone has thought about every single ‘What if?’ and ‘Why?’ and becoming frustrated at the silence that the universe gives you. I might not know exactly what it feels like for you, but I think that I've felt similar. Please, you can always come to me to chat or just for company. Y’know, I’d always make time for you if you need it.”
Scott never could have expected Nom to be this… heartfelt. For the first time in what felt like a while, the flower mage felt hopeful that tomorrow would be better. He knew it would be with Nom by his side.
“Thanks Nom.” Scott smiled, his eyes no longer watery, but instead a small smile stretched on his face. “That…That means a lot to me-more than you might think.”
“Hey!! He’s smiling again!” The blacksmith grinned, playfully elbowing Scott who let out a quiet huff of amusement. Letting out a content sigh, the blond gently shoved him back. “Thanks-” A small yawn escaped his mouth, it was basically midnight after all with the moon being high and bright in the starlit sky. “We should sleep.” He mumbled, glancing across the bench to his house, more importantly how the greenhouse looked lit up in the moonlight with its exotic flowers thriving within.
Nom nodded, standing up and stretching his arms over his head and Scott followed, standing up to his full height above the Blacksmith. Nom’s pleasant expression faltered when his eyes opened and he was reminded that the flower mage was significantly taller than him. He let out a huff, seeing it to be too hard to be annoyed at Scott after what they’d chatted about.
“Wanna stay the night? It might do me some good, having someone I trust nearby and safe.” Scott offered, looking between Nom and his cottage. His cottage looked more blue now, with orchids scattered around and standing out among the lush green moss. “Sure, I don't mind. It is a pretty far walk from here to the Well, well, well, or the Blacksmith.” Nom smiled, accepting the kind offer.
– – – – – – *+☆+*– – – – – –
Scott surprisingly slept soundly that night even with Nom’s loud snoring across the room on a spare mattress the mage had hidden away. He felt safe and actually at home. For the first time in a while, Scott thought-no. He knew that he'd find people that he would be able to call “home” again. They would never compare to what his parents were, but they were never meant to be replacements. This little sprout knew that someday he would be able to bloom into something beautiful from the people around him, it was only a matter of time.